The man was hospitalized with viral meningitis and has since been released

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The Health Department has confirmed the city's first human case of West Nile virus this season.

The patient is a Staten Island man over the age of 50. That age group's more likely to become seriously ill from the virus.

The man was hospitalized with viral meningitis and has since been released.
West Nile virus can cause a flu-like illness. Patients may have a headache, fever, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

The Health Department has done pesticide spraying on Staten Island.

The health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, also recommends individual steps, including using bug repellent, wearing long sleeves and paints in the morning and evening, fixing torn window screens and reporting standing water to 311.

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